Meredith Somers

Turnout brisk in Virginia election, few problems reported

Early turnout on Election Day was brisk, with elections officials reporting few issues Tuesday amid signs that as voter participation could eclipse 2009 rates despite a governor's race that's become infamous for its negativity.

November 5, 2013

German man accused in 91-year-old wife’s death seeks dismissal

The Georgetown socialite charged with killing his elderly wife has asked a judge to throw out his case because of the way prosecutors handled evidence, court records show.

November 4, 2013

Maryland speed cameras becoming objects of scorn, vandalism

Montgomery County police are investigating reports of speed camera vandalism an average of once every week, with the most recent incident involving three cameras, spray paint and swastikas.

October 31, 2013

Scaffolding coming down from around Washington Monument

The decorative lights illuminating the Washington Monument are set to be turned off next week as crews begin the process of removing the scaffolding around the earthquake-damaged structure.

October 31, 2013

National Zoo: Baby panda’s head won’t get stuck in cage bars

The National Zoo's giant panda cub is growing and her eyes are almost fully open, officials said Wednesday after the most recent checkup of the two-month old cub.

October 30, 2013

Alexandria woman claims $100,000 lottery jackpot with hours to spare

An Alexandria woman became $100,000 richer on Tuesday after cashing in her winning lottery ticket — and it only took her 179 days and 20 hours to do it.

October 29, 2013

103-year-old woman killed in Fairfax car crash

A 103-year-old woman who was a passenger in a car being driven by an 81-year-old woman was killed in a crash in McLean, police said Tuesday.

October 29, 2013

Paul M. Rodriguez, former Times investigative reporter, dies at 61

Paul M. Rodriguez, an investigative reporter for The Washington Times who covered the White House over three administrations, died Saturday from brain cancer. He was 61.

October 28, 2013

Scream therapy: Maryland’s Creepywoods offers a Halloween haunt

Come October, Allan and Jill Bennett — the owners of Creepywoods Haunted Forest — are in the business of scaring people.

October 27, 2013

Facts about Va. mom’s warning shot in dispute

Lakisha Gaither shot a gun into the air to stop a fight involving her teenage daughter. That, no one disputes.

October 24, 2013

Gansler: ‘I think I probably should have done more’ to check for drinking at party

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler said Thursday he "probably should have done more" to determine whether alcohol was present at a teen house party he briefly stopped by this summer.

October 24, 2013

Va. mom charged after firing gun into air to scare off daughter’s attackers

A Woodbridge woman was arrested after she shot a handgun into the air to scare off a group of boys who were attacking her daughter.

October 22, 2013

New Mega Millions format forces regular players to adapt

John Johnson has played the same six lottery numbers in every Mega Millions drawing for the past three years.

October 21, 2013

Police say medical emergency might have caused Howard County crash

A medical emergency might have been the cause of a multivehicle crash that injured eight people, including a 7-year-old boy, Howard County police said Sunday.

October 20, 2013

Reston boy, 17, dies after being shot

A Reston teen died two days after being shot, Fairfax County police said Sunday.

October 20, 2013

VIDEO: Panda cub even more adorable than before government shutdown

While the federal government was shut down, the National Zoo's beloved butterstick turned into a squealing ball of fluff.

October 17, 2013

Crowds return to D.C. malls, memorials after shutdown ends

With the turn of a key and the click of a lock, the District's memorials, monuments and museums were back open Thursday, welcoming thousands of visitors who'd waited through the 16-day federal shutdown to gain access to the famous sites.

October 17, 2013

O’Malley approval rating sinks after Maryland gas-tax increase

Maryland voters support controversial initiatives passed by the General Assembly this year ending the death penalty and imposing strict new gun laws, but poll results released Wednesday show voters holding Gov. Martin O'Malley accountable for an unpopular increase in the gas tax.

October 17, 2013

Veterans feel they are being used as ‘political ploys’ in shutdown

Beneath his black Wounded Warrior Project cap, Steve Scalora's eyes scanned the digital photo album on his phone.

October 15, 2013

Military groups protest handling of veterans affairs during shutdown

A coalition of military associations on Tuesday lambasted Congress for its handling of veterans affairs in the wake of the government shutdown and demanded a permanent solution to balancing the federal budget.

October 15, 2013